SCROOBIUS PIP JOINS HIP HOP TWITTER TRIBUTES TO EYEDEA, WHO HAS DIED TOO YOUNG

FANS of rapper Michael "Eyedea" Larsen have been left stunned by the news of his death.
Eyedea made a name for himself, winning the respect of the hip-hop industry with his incredible freestyle battle skills.
His mother broke the news of the sad loss on Facebook.
She wrote: "It is with great pain and sadness that I tell you my son Mikey (Eyedea) has passed away.

At this time we kindly request your respect and our privacy as we process this devastating loss.
We do, however, welcome your kind words, memories, and positive thoughts."
She went on to say donations were being accepted towards the cost of the service, adding: "On behalf of Mikey's family, close friends and fans. Thank you - Kathy Averill."
Friends are planning a memorial fundraiser.

Last night twitter was alight with tributes from the hip-hop community, fans, and fellow rappers.
British hip-hop poet Scroobius Pip wrote from his account @scroobiuspipyo: "Just heard about Eyedea. If true, its a fucking tragedy man. E&A day is one of my favourite hiphop albums of all time. A great loss. RIP"
Others just celebrated his skills, with one fan describing him as "one of the most unique stylers of our craft".
Here's a reminder of the artist in action at his best.



If you don't know what he looks like, check this:

LIAM GALLAGHER IN JOG SHOCK + LITTLE J'S RECKLESS MEDICINE

WHAT'S happening to our rock idols? They’re getting respectable in their old age. My spies spotted an early morning jogger legging it through Hampstead last week, dressed in all the kit. Closer inspection revealed it to be Liam Gallagher. I’d say this is a more shocking image than the usual pics of him swearing and scowling at photographers.

• There’s something uncomfortable about watching Gossip Girl actress Taylor Momsen fronting The Pretty Reckless. Over here recently on tour with her 40-something band, the 16-year-old singer/actress resembled a character from Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride – spindly, pale, and with eyeshadow so heavy, her eyes were two bottomless holes. In interviews she came across almost as moody as her character little Jenny has become, and equally as pretentious. But, I’m ready to give her the benefit of the doubt – it could just be the trappings of fame and naivety of youth. Her mesh of Courtney Love grungy angst and Juliette Lewis’s country twang is mesmerising and her vocals are unexpectedly soul-laden. Single Make Me Wanna Die is out now and debut album is released later this year. Look out for My Medicine, easily the best of the short selection I’ve heard so far. This is the clearest footage of the My Medicine I could find.

• One Taste, one of south London’s hottest underground music and spoken word nights, has been the launchpad for many fledgling unsigned acts. Scroobius Pip, Beth Rowley and Newton Falkner have all graced its stage and now it’s coming to Camden. One Taste Koko brings together unsigned acts with established artists in an alternative showcase on June 16, featuring Va Voi Woon, Polarbear, Kate Tempest, David J, and Mercury nominees Portico Quartet.

BILLY BRAGG ET AL IN VOTES BETRAYAL, HURTS' OPERATIC TURN, AC/DC'S STRAIGHT MAN AND THE ROCK 'N ROLL SUPERGROUP

MUSICIANS love their causes don’t they? And when it comes to politics, some of our most outspoken ones just have to interfere. 

Yet I'm starting to feel sorry for all those figures who backed the Lib Dems and told all their followers to do the same. Judging by the comments on Twitter, Billy Bragg, Jon McClure and Dan le Sac are feeling a little bit cheated right now. They never expected a Lib Dem vote to morph into a Tory one overnight. 

Le Sac is demanding his vote back, McClure says “Nick Clegg What ya done man?” and poor old Bragg’s just opened a “kick my ass” page on Facebook. Hard times.

• I caught electro-80s duo Hurts at Koko’s NME Radar gig on Monday. You wouldn’t have a clue these guys are so young.

They managed to create incredible drama with little fuss – and just one male opera singer. Frontman Theo Hutchcraft - in smooth black suit and white scarf combo and gelled hair so shiny you could see your face in it - commanded the stage with the puissance of the Phantom of the Opera. Rumour has it he carries a little comb with him at all times so not a hair falls out of place. Look oout for the onstage grooming.

After hearing it live, I’d like to recall my original review for new single Better Than Love, which has all the makings of a festival anthem.

• Die-hard AC/DC fans – did you know the band’s original singer was called Dave Evans? Not such a rock ’n’ roll name as Bonn Scott but that’s not his fault. Anyway he’s coming to Holloway’s The Gaff on May 26 – for those who need to complete their rock education.

• A little-known supergroup of sorts, The John Moore Rock and Roll Trio, have been playing a series of fortnightly retro gigs at Lower Ground Bar, 269 West End Lane.

Head there to see what became of the remnants of the Jesus and Mary Chain, Black Box Recorder, Lush and The Soledad Brothers – when they turned to old fashioned rock ’n’ roll and blues. Dates on their MySpace page myspace.com/johnmoorerockandrolltrio

CAMDEN CRAWL - WATERLOGGED AND WONDERFUL - DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP, ROLO TOMASSI, PENDULUM, CASIO KIDS, MAN LIKE ME, THE HUNDRED IN THE HANDS AND MORE

RIVERS of black eyeliner streamed down Camden High Street as buckets of torrential rain threatened to wash away thousands of Camden Crawlers last weekend.
Unlucky for the ballet pump-clad crawlers queuing all the way to Morrisons car park waiting to swap their tickets for wristbands, Saturday was a warm washout.
Sunday was dry but infinitely chillier, the miserable kind that takes hold of your bones, amounting to equal stints of sprinting between venues and subsequent reluctance to move on to the next.

(Drenched Camden Crawlers enjoy Man Like Me)

An impromptu rave by collective Red Pill London, which sprung up under a small-time gazebo, ended abruptly when police swooped in and collared DJ “The Brain” – for “inciting a riot”. I was there, it wasn't a riot. LostProphets later leapt to his defence – see footage at www.youtube.com/RedPillLondon.

The few secret gigs were mostly tucked safely away from the real people in the VIP bar at Lock 17. Rumours of Johnny Depp joining Babybird and Mick Jones with Roots Manuva fell flat, but how important are the clandestine ones when there's already a packed timetable?

There were a few disappointments as Villagers, Joe Gideon and the Shark and others were unable to play, and creative crises as we were forced to choose between headliners.
Delays and The Drums, previous picks of mine, were casualties of scheduling only a time-machine could solve. Yet there were big gaps in the evenings, where a bunch of gigs would end with nothing scheduled for 45 minutes - staggering would be welcome next year.

Aside from these minor strategic issues, we found plenty of raw talent to keep us entertained.
Another triumphant, if soggy Camden Crawl.
Here's a round-up of some of the acts I made it to:

ROLO TOMASSI - RED BULL OUTDOOR STAGE

An enigma – switching from tuneless, eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-their-heads, roaring hardcore rock to almost deconstructed jazzy instrumentals, mathrock giants Rolo Tomassi were captivating but painful to listen to. It was hard to tear away from lead singer Eva Spence, who sounded like a sweet young girl when chatting, but became a freaky possessed wildcat with a piercing screech, when the music began, singing the odd delicate tuneful refrain. Not one for me.

CASIO KIDS, then KATY B - JAZZ CAFE
A welcome change of pace, light in sound, happy electro, they attracted huge queues and quite rightly so. The kind of guys you want to hang out with, because you know it’d be fun.
Katy B's soul had hints of rude-girl attitude but was a bit too loungey. An accomplished singer who feels every word.

PLAN B – ROUNDHOUSE

Plan B rocked the camp bouncer look. Switching from rudeboy rapper to shiny suited doorman, to cheesy house dancer to Marvin Gaye-soul, Plan B played a confusing set. He was a little light on the rap, focusing more on his crooning, but maybe not quite what his crowd was waiting for. Each time he did burst into a short rap, the audience cheered their approval.

EMILY BARKER - BLACK CAP
Described by Andy Ross as having one of the best voices in the country, Australian singer Barker, with fiddle and accordion accompanists played a pure set of beautiful country/folk.

PENDULUM - ROUNDHOUSE

What better way to dry out than to launch into the swirling tumble drier of a mosh pit for Pendulum. Their tunes didn’t need much variety, and too right, a track from their new album (plugged 300 times), verged on euro-dance and sounded flat. So a wise return to the repetitive beats, mindless MCing, the odd varied bassline and a bit of electronica. The ultimate professionals, Pendulum are masters of winding up frantic drum ‘n bass to the highest scale.

TIM TEN YEN - SPREADEAGLE

Food Records’ Andy Ross’ picks were varied and enthralling. Lanky besuited Tim Ten Yen, whose only accompaniments were the smallest keyboard in the world and a sleeping battery-powered cat, had an air of John Hegley about him. Geeky synth-pop, comic vocals and uncle dancing.

MAN LIKE ME - OUTDOOR STAGE
So good we saw them twice. Only the most hardy braved the outdoor stage on day one. Many questioned if the acts would even bother to turn up, but all credit to them, they did. Nothing would dampen Man Like Me’s spirits, they played like the sun was blazing, frontman Johnny Langer coming on under a Lidl bag. And they managed to raise a party from the small but formidable umbrella-clutching crowd. They played a triumphant show at Electric Ballroom at midnight, turning the crowd into one big house bash. It’s hard not to smile when they’re around.

GAGGLE - ELECTRIC BALLROOM

There was considerable buzz around this female choir who sing about modern-east-London type female dilemmas “How can I tell if My Man is a Liar” in a freaky tribal confrontational, don’t mess with us way, while sounding a little like the pickpockets from the musical Oliver!
Wearing colourful rags, they looked more like the latest wannabe Britain's Got Talent dance troupe but, although credit due for their bold attempts to be different - not something I'd like to hear more of.

THE HUNDRED IN THE HANDS - DINGWALLS
Moody electro duo. Guy plays guitar, girl fiddles about with electric things, runs her hands through her hair a lot and pouts under her fringe. Sound great. They should be French.

DAN LE SAC vs SCROOBIUS PIP - RED BULL OUTDOOR STAGE

The only other act I saw twice. They command a loyal following, many thousands on twitter and many more in real life. A drier Hawley Crecent was packed for their earlier show, Le Sac a perfect wing-man to Giant Pip’s almost preacher-like demeanour. Extremely accessible, Pip was correct when he told me his music brought together followers from all walks of life – people you’d never expect to see enjoying the same gig. Their evening Electric Ballroom set turned into one huge messianic party – a clearly memorable show.

PROFESSOR GREEN - THE ROUNDHOUSE
Forced to play the evening set after endless delays during the Sugababes, Professor Green came on bounding with energy. He’s got a cheeky young voice and his hit “I Need you Tonight” was just that.

BABYBIRD - DUBLIN CASTLE

Stephen Jones aka Babybird was in fine voice, though a little nervous he wouldn’t be playing to anyone who’d actually heard of him. He was wrong. It was an all-age crowd and he won a warm reception.

LEAFCUTTER JOHN - BARFLY

His atmospheric solo was drowned out by the rudest baying Barfly crowd in history. Where in other venues, similar acts were respected, something strange was happening here. He soldiered on and the few who were listening were mesmerised. But it’s hard to believe he was not affected by the confidence-shattering reception

THE WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA - SPREADEAGLE
Last of Andy Ross' picks, New Age Canadian four-piece with haunting harmonies, a cross between Simon and Garfunkle and Fleet Foxes – a laid-back mid-afternoon interlude with Tibetan singing bowls and a cello.

ANOTHER BAND - ICE WHARF
Emerging Talent Award winners Another Band brought “atmosphere” to the Ice Wharf – absent since the day it opened – you know what I’m saying. We actually witnessed rhythm in the dancing crowd.

CAMDEN CRAWL GOSSIP - OBLIVIOUS PETE DOHERTY, AMY WINEHOUSE'S EVENING JOB, SCROOBIUS PIP'S ELECTION PREDICTION AND SPEECH DEBELLE BITES BACK

AS Pete Doherty swayed in a Camden High Street alleyway and Amy Winehouse pulled pints in the Dublin Castle, it was difficult to picture the two in their Camden Crawl heyday. At one time the celebrated highlights of the festival, it was a bitter reminder of the changing fortunes of plagued young stars. Winehouse’s turn – does she get paid, I wonder? – is obviously not her true profession, but the question remains, when will she get back to the day job?

Doherty, in red and gold Libertines jacket, was vacant, distracted, and more concerned with the dingy flat he disappeared into – almost oblivious of the Crawl going on around him, though he did manage to make it to NW1 bar later. 

What next for these two?

• Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip (pictured) had a novel way of deciding the election. Dishing out cardboard masks of Brown, Cameron and Clegg to three “mental” young lads at the front, they asked the crowd to cheer the best dancer. Cameron drew the boos, Brown fared pretty well, but the big cheers were reserved for Clegg – “liberal indie festival-goers”, muttered Pip at the result.

At least it was more decisive than the current election result.

• Critics beware, the talent can bite back. One reviewer’s just earned Speech Debelle’s twitter wrath after saying she played to a half-empty room and a bemused Dingwalls crowd who didn’t know who she was.

She said: “No matter how much you achieve in life there’s people...who will always try to tear you down. The internet gives life to haters who would otherwise be too afraid to spew there hate for fear of retribution. Just read an article were he said I performed to a ‘half empty room’ at Camden Crawl. Come on dude. STOP IT! your cant stop me even if you are “bemused” at how I won.”

Sadly I can’t tell you how full the room was – I was elsewhere.

CAMDEN CRAWL - BEAT THE SYSTEM, AND BEST OF THE REST

THEY love to keep us in suspense don’t they? But even though the Camden Crawl’s timetable is a tightly-guarded secret until the day of the event, organisers can’t keep a lid on all the bands.

So here’s how to beat the system – check out individual band websites and most importantly keep an eye on twitter.  That should cover most of them. Expect word of surprise appearances to spread like wildfire on the Twitter grapevine so if you’ve got an iPhone, now’s the time to make use of it.

                                          (New Young Pony Club)

But for a more unpredictable experience, manage your own expectations and take a scattergun approach. Pick out bands, singers or acts you like, expect to be beaten by the queues and look forward to checking out the band that follows, which is inevitably the point where you’ll finally be let into the venue. But if you really want to be certain to catch something, camp out from ages before. 

Here’s a few events I’ll be checking out:

ISLAND Records Boat Party, The Constitution (Sunday, 1pm-6pm): Off the beaten track, this is where the insiders hang out. Expect to see some of Island Records’ bright new stars.

A party boat with onboard bar and resident Island Djs will ferry fans from Camden High Street to The Constitution pub, where the likes of Essex 15-year-old rising star Daisy Dares You will be performing, along with Zimbabwean singer-songwriter (the dude with the cool giant glasses) Tinashe, Dagenham MC Devlin, Welsh singer-songwriter Pete Lawrie, Tennessee soloist Lauren Pritchard and the grit-laden man with soul in his core, Jonathan Jeremiah.

OUTDOOR Stage, Hawley Crescent: I’ve said it before but any carnival-type event isn’t complete without the high-spirited, hilarious choreography of Man Like Me. Their catchy nu-ska sounds have party written all over them. Catch them at the Hawley Crescent outdoor stage along with Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Chew Lips and Skepta – anyone with an NW1 postcode who applied online can get in for free.

                                          (Man Like Me)

PRIMROSE Chill: If you haven’t got a ticket, don’t despair. The Primrose Chill has lined up some below-the-radar acts to play four of the area’s most prized pubs. You can sort of pretend to be part of the Crawl – never mind you’re across the canal with the posh people, miles from the carnage, and you didn’t have to spend a penny.

ELIZA Doolittle: A singer-songwriter with folky undertones, she’s already caught the tabloids’ attention – for wearing short shorts. Her single Skinny Genes was released on April 12 and she’s been touted as one to watch.

DELAYS: This is one band we’ll actually be getting there early for. A must.

VILLAGERS: Rated sixth in The Irish Times’ 50 Best Irish Acts Right Now, well last year, Malahide’s Villagers have been compared to The Frames, U2 and Leonard Cohen. Low key, wordy, literate and dark – I imagine Tim Burton would be a fan. Tipped by Bob Harris on his radio show last week.

PLAN B and Pendulum, Roundhouse, Friday: The only show of the Roundhouse headliners I’ll be checking out. Plan B just because there’s always room for a little East London rap and Pendulum, known for their high-energy live shows, are a definite way to wake up after the long trawl through the day’s guitar offerings.

PUB Quizzes, various venues during the day: A chance to further your education or just show off – the battle for the title of king/queen muso begins.

Best of the Rest: Shy Child, The Sunshine Underground, The Drums, Akala, Joe Gideon and the Shark, The Hundred in the Hands, New Young Pony Club, Holly Miranda, Billy Childish, Best Coast, Speech Debelle (because she’s unpredictable) and Roots Manuva. 

For the 30-something sentimentalists – Cornershop, Babybird, Stereo MCs and Teenage Fanclub.

THIS ONE'S FOR THE LOCALS + CAMDEN CRAWL EMERGING TALENT WINNERS

I'VE been talking about the Camden Crawl for months – a time when hundreds of dedicated music lovers make the annual trek to Camden Town to enjoy our most beloved of festivals.
But what if you live in Camden and you want in on the action without having to shell out for tickets?
This year, the Crawl is taking over Hawley Crescent – the scene of many a celeb walk of shame after a heady night at the Hawley Arms – and anyone with an NW1 postcode can get in for free.

(Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip will play the outdoor stage)

Yes, NW1 residents can enjoy the likes of Man Like Me, Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Chew Lips, Kasms and Skepta, who will take to the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Arena outdoor stage on Saturday and Sunday (May 1 and 2) for absolutely nothing. And if live music’s not for you, a separate stage will host DJs all day.
It is the only stage giving teenagers aged 14-17 the chance to join in the fun.
Expect a carnival-style atmosphere with food and fully-licensed drink stalls from 12pm-7pm.
All you have to do is register online at www. redbullbedroomjam.com and www.thecamden crawl.com/camden and bring proof of address on the day.
Camden Crawl wristband holders can also apply for entry via the same link.

And when the fun stops at 7pm each day, locals can continue the party over at the totally free Primrose Chill, where bands are taking over four Primrose Hill pubs – The Queens, The Lansdowne, The Engineer and The Princess of Wales.

For those who want to take part in the full Crawl, don’t forget a weekend wristband gives entry to 40 venues, featuring 200 acts over the course of two days. Pendulum and Plan B are the latest to have been announced as Roundhouse headliners and separate tickets must be bought for these.

The winners of the Emerging Talent Awards have now been revealed – to see tomorrow’s stars today, head down to the Ice Wharf stage. They are: Best New Band – Gaggle; Best Live Act – The Stow; Best Solo Artist – Truth; People’s Choice – The October Game; DIY Award – Motion Picture Soundtrack; Best Visual Impact – No Fixed Abode; Innovation Award – Creatures of Love. A special mention goes to Shiv Lizzy, who won Best Song. She tragically was killed in a road accident last month.

It’s tough to choose what to see when there’s so much on the bill so the Crawl compilation album, which was released digitally to ticket holders on Monday, can help separate the howlingly terrible from the hidden gems.

Ticket holders just need to go to www.7digital.com/camden crawl using their unique code and can download the album for free.

THE CAMDEN CRAWL - HOW ARE THEY COPING AND WHY THE SUGABABES??

THE Post-its are flying all over the place and staff at the Camden Crawl HQ are slowly being buried under a pile of CDs.

We’re only weeks away from one of the biggest events in the music calendar (May 1 and 2) – and with the ever-expanding daytime programme, it’s beginning to give the Edinburgh Festival some serious competition.

There’s the big names: LostProphets, We Are Scientists, Calvin Harris and The Drums. The oldies: Teenage Fanclub, Babybird and Cornershop. The dubious pop choice: Sugababes. The cool- as-ice Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, The Delays, New Young Pony Club and the most important to me, Camden’s home-grown talent – Akala, Ms Dynamite and Man Like Me.


(Teenage Fanclub, who play this year's Camden Crawl)

The day starts early with impromptu gigs, theatre shows, countless quizzes to tax even the brainiest muso, mind-bending spoken word performances and real comedy from real comedians. On top of all this there’s a series of free events for residents with a street party in Hawley Crescent, and free gigs at the Hawley Arms and the Primrose Chill. There’s also a programme of free live music in four pubs: The Queens, The Lansdowne, The Engineer and the Princess of Wales.

But right now organisers are preoccupied with the Emerging Talent Awards (ETA). And they’ve had a huge task to whittle down 1,000 hopefuls with stars in their eyes to just 45. And now the work begins, picking the eight best bands to play the ETA stage at the Ice Wharf.

Event organiser Chris Jakubiak said: “If the weather’s good we’ll have the doors open. The standard’s been really high, much higher than we’ve anticipated. The prizes are amazing.”

The finalists will be announced on April 12.

Barring Madness’s takeover of Inverness Street last year, this will be the first time the Crawl’s put on an official street party.

Chris said: “There’ll be a road closure in Hawley Crescent, from Kentish Town to Stuckley Place. We’re putting a Red Bull stage at the Kentish Town Road end and the space on the street is licensed to hold 2,000 people. That part of the event is 14-plus and accessible to Crawl wristband holders and also a few local residents will be invited. We’re going to look after everyone.”

So why did they book the Sugababes for the Crawl?

Chris said: “What’s a typical Camden Crawl band? It’s about diversity. They’ve got new material, a new line-up, the show will be very interesting. Very special guests will be announced next month."

Each year there’s the odd surprise gig – last year Graham Coxon played The Spread Eagle and Chris hints there could be more to come: “I’m almost certain that there’ll be something like that, but we never know until close to the time.”

But right now, the Crawl staff are busy turning the cogs.
Chris said: "I’m covered in Post-it notes and I’ve got stacks of CDs I’m
listening to. We’re working late into the night but it’s always an
enjoyable experience."